Control device



Jan. 21, 1947. s. K. MALEK conmor. DEVICE Filed July 15; 1943 2Shuts-Sheet. 1 A

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Snoentor JmNEY If. MflLEK Ghorncg Patented Jan. 21; 1947 EAMJM orrlcaCONTROL DEVICE Sidney K. Maleh, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor toMinneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn, acorporation of Delaware Application July 15, 1943, Serial No. 494,800

opening action comprises the quick opening of the passageway to permit alimited flow of fluid therethrough. The second phase or step of theopening action comprises the slow, gradual, opening of the passageway toa further extent to permit a controlled capacity flow therethrough. Eachphase or step is performed by a separate valve and valve operatingmechanism which may be controlled to operate in timed se uence.

In intermittently supplying fluid fuel to certain types of combustionchambers it is desirable that the initial portion of the flow belimited. The most economical andsatisfactory results are obtained if thefull flow of the supply line is brought on slowly and graduallyfollowing the relatively quick delivery of a limited-initial or startingflow. Various types of step action valves have been brought forth in thepast. Some were complicated and unwieldy. Others were extremely costlyto produce and still others relied on foreign elements to obtain thedesired opening action,

One of the principal objects of the present invention is the provisionof means for economically producing a simple, eflicient, and compactdevicecomprising a relatively few interdependent parts for automaticallystarting and controlling the rate of flow of fluid through a supply linebetween the time of initial opening and the time the flow has reachedcapacity. l 7

Another object of importance and advantage resides in the provision ofmeans for utilizing fluid under pressure from the main supply line forquickly and fully opening a main supply valve in combination withauxiliary means permitting the passage of a limited flow of fluid throuh the Ci. NEW-M4) the initial and the immediately subsequent now offluid through a supply line;

An additional object of importance resides in the provision of means foradjusting a control valve to supply a desired minimum or maximum flow offluid through a supply line'during' the period a shut oft" valve in saidsupply line is in fully open main valve and then automatically,

slowly and gradually increasing the flow to a predetermined capacity.

A further object of advantage of the improved device of this inventionis the provision of means for completing the operation cycle by closingthe main valve and then restoring the auxiliary control to adesiredminimum flow position.

Still another important object of advantageis the provision of means forassociating a retarded acting auxiliary pressure motor for operation. inconjunction with a quick acting main valve operating pressure motor foroperating two devices in timed relation and particularly for controllingopen position.

Another object of importance and advantage resides in the provision ofmeans for utilizing the pressures built up within the outlet end of theimproved device of this invention for moving the auxiliary control valvefrom minimum flow to full flow position.

A still further object of th invention is the provision of means forstarting an initial minimum flow of fluid through a supply line and thenby auxiliary means of slowly and gradually" increasing the flow tocapacity in a single, continuous operation.

Additional objects of advantage and importance will become apparent asthe following detailed description progresses, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings wherein Figure l'is a schematic showing of agas burner control system which embodies the invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the device, parts thereof beingbroken away;

Figur 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a similar section showing a slight modification inconstruction.

The reference numeral It), indicates generally a diaphragm valve whichmay be of anysuitable size or shape. The valve In is preferablyconstructed of an upper section I I anda lower section l2 with adiaphragm I3 clamped therebetween,

as is best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The

lower section l2 of the improved device of this invention comprises avalve housing having an inlet [4 at one end, and an outlet I5 at theother end thereof. Positioned-intermediate theinlet I4, and the outleti5 is a valve seat I 6. The valve seat i6 is preferably concentric andnormally on a common plane with the diaphragm l3. The upper centralportion of the diaphragm I3 is provided with a plate ll,'which may besecured in position by means of a bolt and nut assembly it, or in anyother suitable manner. The reinforced diaphragm it thus cooperates withthe valve seat 6 6 to provide a normally closed valve which prevents thenow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet colnpartments of the housingi2. A pressure chamber iii is thus provided in the central portion ofthe section l2 beneath the diaphragm it. The

'in said dividing wall, is a diaphragm 42.

cessed or dished, as is clearly shown in Figure 2, to provide a chamber20 above thediaphragm I3. The diaphragm I3 is disposed to provide amovable wall dividing the chambers I9 and 20. The

- diaphragm valve I3 in cooperation with the valve seat l6 functions toprevent or to permit a flow of fluid from the inlet to the outlet. Thevalve I3 does not limit or control the volume of flow through thepassageway.

Suitably, secured to the body of the diaphragm valve I is a three-waycontrol. valve 22. The central portion of the control valve 22 isrecessed at 24 to receive a solenoid operated ball valve assembly 28.Extending from the inlet l4 into the upper portion of the recess 24, isa passageway 21. A passageway 28 extends from the chamber '20 into thelower portion of the recess 24. A valve seat 38 is positioned in therecess intermediate the entry points of the passageways 21 and 28.Extending from the bottom of the recess 24, to a remote location,preferably a burner unit 32, is a waste disposal passageway 34. Thethree-way control valve functions to supply fluid to the chamber 20 whenin its normal position, as shown in Figur 2. Fluid from the inlet maypass upwardly through the passageway 21 into,

the recess 24, and then downwardly through the valve seat 30, into thelower portion of the recess from which it is directed into the chamber20 through the passageway 28. When the ball -valve 26 is raised theupper portion of the recess 24 and the passageway 21 are sealed off andthe chamber 20 is in communication with atmosphere through thepassageways 28 and 34.

Secured to the body of the diaphragm valve I0, preferably by screws 35,is an auxiliary pressure motor 36. The auxiliary pressure motorcomprises two chambers 31 and 38 having an apertured dividing wall 39positioned therebetween. Secured to the dividing wall 39 by means of aring 48 and screws 4|, and covering the aperture The chambers 31 and 38are thus sealed against the passage of fluid from one to the other. Apassageway 43 through the wall of the lower section I2 permits theunrestricted flow of fluid from the inlet [4 into the chamber 31.

Secured to the central portion of the diaphragm 42 and projectingupwardly and downwardly therefrom is a button 44. The peripheral surfaceof the lower portion of the button 44 is formed to receive a compressionspring 45, and the end of said button 44 is recessed to receive the endof an adjustment screw 46. The compression spring 45 is interposedbetween the wall of the auxiliary motor and the button 45 to yieldablyresist movement of the diaphragm into the chamber 38.

Tension adjustment of the spring 45 may be made 1 through a springadjustment screw 41. The adjustment screw 46 limits the travel of thediaphragm 42 and the button 44, into the chamber 38. In the preferredembodiment of the invention, as shown in Figure 3, the engagement of thescrew 45 with the button 44, also limits the opening movement of thecontrol valve 5|.

Secured to the button 44 and extending into the chamber 31, is anoperating post 48. The post 48 is movable with the diaphragm 42. Securedto the member l2 closely adjacent one end of chamber 31 is an anchormember 49. Pivotally secured to the anchor member 49 and extendingsubstantially the length of the chamber 31 is a valve operating arm 50.Operably positioned in the in- 58. An adjustable stop member 53 isprovided to limit the closing movement of the butterfly valve 5|. Thepost 48 is secured to the operating arm 50, intermediate the endsthereof, to provide operating means for opening and closing the valveExtending from the chamber 38 into the interior of the chamber 20 is apassageway 54. The passageway 54 provides a means for equalizing thepressure within the chambers 28 and 38 regardless of the pressure builtup within the chambers I9 and 31. Operably positioned to control theflow of fluid throughthe passageway 54 is an adjustable restrictingmember 55. The member 55 may be adjusted to control the rate of flow offluid through the passageway 54 thus controlling the speed of themovement of the diaphragm 42.

Operation of Figure 1 in the chamber 28. Fluid pressure in the chamber|9 urges the diaphragm valve |3 from the seat l6 and expels a portion ofthe fluid from the chamber 20. This action establishes a minimum flow offluid from the inlet l4, past the partially open butterfly control valve5| and through the chamber l9 into the outlet l5 thus completing thefirst phase or step of the opening action of the improved device.Concurrently with the reduction of pressure in the chamber 2|! a slowflow of fluid is started fromthe chamber 38 through the restrictedpassage 54, into the chamber 20. As the pressure in the chamber 38 isslowly reduced, the diaphragm 42 is urged from the cham-' ber 31. Thismovement of the diaphragm 42 is transmitted to the connected controlvalve 5|. Opening movement of the diaphragm 42 and the connected controlvalve 5| may be retarded by the restriction control member 55 andlimited by the adjustable stop member 46. The compression spring 45 alsodelays the starting and opening action of the diaphragm 42. When thediaphragm button 44 engages the end of the adjustable stopmember 46 acontrolled maximum flow of fluid through the device has been establishedand the second phase or step of the opening movement has been completed.

It is to be noted that a single movement of the ball valve 26 starts theevacuation of the control chambers 28 and 38 concurrently. However, therestriction control member 55 may be so adjusted that the control valve5| is maintained in minimum flow position until after the valve l3reaches its full open position. Likewise return movement of the controlvalve 5| may be retarded until the diaphragm-valve I3 is completelyclosed.

The flow of fluid through the device is stopped. in a single continuousaction. Action of the thermostat 68 opens the circuit 62 deenergizingthe solenoid assembly 64, and freeing the ball valve 26 from sealingengagement with the seat 30. This actioncloses the passageway 34 andopens the passageways 21 and 28 permitting the fluid to enter thechamber 20 from the inlet |4 while preventing flow out of chamber 20into passageway 34. The incoming fluid equaiizes the pressures in thechambers 20 and I9 and moves the diaphragm l3 into sealing engagementwith the seat Hi to prevent the further flow of fluid through minimumand maximum flow may be accurately controlled or quickly varied.

In the slightly modified form of the invention as shown in Figure 4, thepressure chamber 31 is in direct communication with the inlet M as isthe case in the preferred embodiment as is clearly shown in Figure 3.However, the chamber 38 of the modified form is connected to the outletto by means of a passageway 55. The passageway 56 is adapted toberestricted by means of an adjustment member 5?. Movement of thediaphragm. E2 is transmitted to the butterfly control valve illrthroughan operating arm 58, which is rockably secured to an anchor member 59.The adjustment member d6 which limits the movement of the diaphragm inboth constructions serves also to limit the closing movement of thbutterfly control valve in the modified construction. The remainder ofthe structure is substantially the same as that shown in the preferredembodiment.

The various elements of the improved device of this invention, shown inFigure 4 or the drawings, are in positions they assume when there is nocall for burner action. .Under these conditions, fluid pressures in theinlet It, the pilot conduit 64 and the chambers 1,10 and 31 areequalized; the valves l3 and 5! are in closed and minimum flowpositions, respectively; and the passageway 34 is closed by the ballvalve 26.

Operation of Figure In the modified construction shown in Figure 4, themeans provided for opening the control valve 5| differ slightly from themeans-shown in Figure 3 of the preferred form of the invention. Thechambers! is in open communication with the inlet M and the pressuretherein is utilized for maintaining the control valve 5| in minimum flowposition against the action of the spring 45, the chamber 38 having onlyatmospheric pressure therein when the diaphragm valve is closed. Thecontro1 valve 5| is moved'into open position by diverting a portion ofthe fluid passing through the outlet I5 into the chamber 38 by way ofthe restrictable passageway 56 when the diaphragm valve I3 is opened byaction of, the thermostat The compression spring 45 also assists in thismovement. As the pressure in the chamber it? builds up the diaphragm t2and the connected control valve iii are moved into open position. Whenthe thermostat lid is satisfied the diaphragm valve it closes asexplained in connection with the operation of Figure 1, whereupon thepressure in the chamber 38 begins to bleed on. As the pressure in theoutlet it drops, the fluid in the chamber 3% is slowly bled through therestrlctable passageway 56 into the outlet H5. The reduction of pressurin the chamber 3d per mits the pressure in the chamber til to overcomethe resistance of the spring and the diaphragm moves in a downwarddirection to the position shown in Figure 4. unti1 the diaphragm button44 engages the upper end or the adjustable stop 46, to accuratelyposition the control valve 5| to permit a predetermined minimum flow offluid.

It will be apparent Irom the foregoing that the improved device of thisinvention lends itself to employment in conjunction with a thermostatcontrolled electric circuit 6c Or any other operating device which maybe employed to open and close the ball valve 26.

It will also be apparent from the foregoing that herein is provided anexceptionally sturdy and eflicient device which employs one valve andvalve operating mechanism for starting and stopping all flow or fluidthrough a supply line and a second control valve which functions tocontrol the flow of fluid after the initial opening of the line, bothvalves cooperating in closely timed and controlled movements to producea unitaryresult.

Various changes and modifications in the above device will undoubtedlyoccur to those who are skilled in the art, and I therefore desire to belimited by the scope of the appended I claims rather than by thespecific embodiment which.

has been disclosed for the purpose of illustration only.

Iclaim as my invention:

1. In a control device, a supply line, means for establishing anadjusted maximum flow through said line in a plurality of steps andcomprising, a first pressure motor in association with a first valve, asecond pressure motor in association. with a second valve, a passagewayconnecting said motors, said valves being positioned in series in saidsupply line, said first named valve being operable between closed andopen position, said second valve being operable between an adjustableminimum flow and .an adjustable maximum flow position, adjustableabutment means for deter- -mining the minimum flow position and themaximum flow position of said second valve, means in said connectingpassageway for controlling the rate of flow of operating pressure to andfrom said second motor and hence the rate or movement of said secondvalve, said last named means being adjustable from the exterior of saiddevice, and a single pilot valve for controlling all operable movementof said first and said second valves.

2. In a control device, a valve housing having an inlet and an outlet, afirst valve positioned in said housing intermediate said inlet and saidoutt let, a first pressure motor for operating said first valve,- saidmotor being operable to move said valve to open and closed positions, abutterfly valve pivoted in the inlet portionof said housing, abutmentmeans adjustably associated with said housing and operable by engagementtherewith to arrest the closing movement of said butteriiy valve at aselected point in its travel, a second pressure motor for operating saidbutterfly valve, said second motor including a movable wall having apressure chamber on each'side thereof, a passageway connecting one ofsaid chambers with said inlet and providing means for exerting aconstant pressure against said movable wall, a passage connecting theother of said chambers with said first pressure motor and providingmeans for varying the pressure in said other chamber, means forselectively controlling flow through said last named passage to controlthe rate of operable movement of said second pressure motor, abutmentmeans for selectively overning the extent of-movement in an openingdirection oi said second pressure motor and associated butterfly valve,and a pilot valve connected to said first motor and providing means forcontrolling opening and closing movement of said first and said secondpressure motors.

3. In a fluid flow control apparatus comprising, a first pressure motoroperated valve operable to open and closed positions, a second motor op-.erated valve, means operable to selectively adjust the rate of movementof said second valve without curtailing the extent of its movement, afirst abutment means operable to engage said said second valve near itsclosing terminal to .per-

mit a minimum flow therethrough, said first abutment means beinadjustable from the ex-' terior .of said apparatus to selectively varysaid minimum flow, a second abutment means operable to limit the openingmovement of said second valve to permit a maximum fiow there- .through,said second abutment means being adjustable from the exteriorof saidapparatus to selectively vary the said maximum flow, means for exertinga constant pressure to urge said second valve toward and maintain it inmaximum,

flow position when said first valve is in open position, and.a singlepilot valve operable to initiate opening and closing movement of saidfirst and said second motor operated valves.

4. In a control apparatus, a valve housing having' an inlet and anoutlet, a, first motor operated valve positioned intermediate said inletand said outlet, said valve being operable to open and closed positions,a second motor operated valve positioned intermediate said first valveand said inlet, adjustable abutment means for selectively limiting theextent'of operable movement of said second valve in opening and closingdirections;

passage means connecting the motors of said motor operated valves,adjustable passage means-for adjusting the rate and causing opening andclosing movement of said second motor operated valve to trail openingand closing movement of said first motor operated valve, the motor ofsaid second motor operated valve be operable to maintain said valve inengagement with different portions of said adjustable abutment meanswhen said first motor operated valve is'in open or closed position, anda single pilot valve operable to control movement of both of said motoroperated valves.

5. In a fiow control device comprising in combinatioma supply line, a.first valve positioned in said supply line and operable to start andstop fiow therethrough, a first motor for operating said first valve, asecond valve positioned in said supplyline and operable to minimum andmaximum flow positions, a second inotor for operating said second valve,a passage connecting said first and said second motors, means in saidpassage adjustable from the exterior of said device for governing therate of movement of said a second motor and valve, means operable fromthe exterior of the device ror altering the minimum fiow position ofsaid second valve, means. operable from the exterior of the device foraltering the maximum flow position of said second valve, said secondmotor providing means for maintaining said second valve in minimum flowposition when said first valve is in closed position and in maximum fiowposition when said first valve is in open position, and a single pilotvalve for controlling all operable movement of 'said first and saidsecond motors and valves.

SIDNEY Is. MALEK.

means in said

